Media release
13 May 2010
Environment Protection
Minister Peter Garrett has approved the
Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project
under national environment law, with strict
conditions.
“After a thorough assessment
and public consultation it’s clear to me
this project can go ahead without unacceptable
impacts on nationally protected matters,”
Mr Garrett said.
“This project is designed
to significantly reduce water wastage by
upgrading outdated irrigation systems. But
we had to be sure these efforts to save
water did not inadvertently have an impact
on nationally threatened species and ecological
communities, migratory species, and internationally
important wetlands.
“I have imposed 10 strict
conditions to minimise the potential environmental
impacts of the project.
“For example, environmental
watering plans must be prepared to address
potential significant impacts on nationally
protected matters. No modified operation
which could impact on a site that a plan
relates to, can be made until the plan has
been approved by me.
“My conditions also
require works to stop should new information
become available showing that previously
undiscovered nationally protected matters
are likely to be significantly affected.
“Audits must be carried out by an auditor
endorsed by me to ensure the strict conditions
of my approval continue to be met.
“My decision was based
on a careful assessment of technical studies.
I want to thank those interested people
who have participated in this thorough and
transparent process.”
It is important to note
that while a project may be allowed to proceed
under national environment law, it may still
need other approvals relating to funding
or local and state government laws.
+ More
Relocation of flying
foxes from Sydney Botanic Gardens approved
Media release
14 May 2010
Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett
has approved, with strict conditions, the
relocation of protected grey-headed flying
foxes at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney.
“After a thorough environmental
assessment the relocation can go ahead and
I am confident that there will be no unacceptable
impacts on protected grey-headed flying
foxes,” Mr Garrett said.
“I have imposed strict
conditions to ensure the dispersal happens
in a way that minimises impacts.
“The dispersal activity
must happen within a limited timeframe to
avoid disrupting the camp during the sensitive
breeding and roosting season.
“An independent observer
group and panel with expertise in animal
biology and grey-headed flying foxes must
oversee all aspects of the operation, and
report back to my department.
“The Botanic Gardens
Trust will be responsible and accountable
for all aspects of the relocation. This
includes ensuring the colony relocates to
an appropriate site.
“Similarly, the trust
is responsible and must be accountable for
any safety risks associated with this operation
and must conduct a public health risk analysis
before the dispersal action can proceed.
“The grey-headed flying
foxes are a threatened species protected
under both state and national environment
law. They play a crucial role in pollination
and seed dispersal in our native forests.
Protecting this species is therefore very
important to our biodiversity,” Mr Garrett
said.
Details of the approval decision and conditions
can be found at www.environment.gov.au
